Zimmerman to attend grandmother's funeral

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman was not in the starting lineup against the Astros on Friday night because he is in North Carolina to attend the funeral of his grandmother, Ilene Zimmerman, who passed away on Wednesday. She was 82 years old.

Zimmerman is not going on the bereavement list because, according to manager Manny Acta, he will return to the team during Saturday’s game. Acta said Zimmerman will not start in that game either.

“He went to his grandmother’s funeral,” Acta said. “He is going to miss today’s game and probably tomorrow’s game. He is probably going to make it in time before [Saturday's game] is over, but he is not going to be able to start.”

In the meantime, Willie Harris started at third base in Zimmerman’s absence on Friday.